Grandfamilies Welcome at Plaza West

City officials and members of the Ward 6 community celebrated the opening of Plaza West, a 223-unit affordable housing community for seniors, families, and grandfamilies.

A first of its kind in the District of Columbia, this building has 50 units specifically for grandfamilies, or families comprised of grandparents raising their grandchildren. It was celebrated over two days, September 13 and 14, with great fanfare.

“As our city continues to grow and age, we’re committed to making investments in innovative programs—in housing, education, childcare, and more—that will set more families up for success,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Plaza West is an example of how we are ensuring residents and families of all backgrounds and income levels have access to safe and affordable places to live across all eight wards.”

Plaza West, located at 1035 4th Street, NW and 307 K Street, NW, is a 12-story development in the growing and transit-centric Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood. The Plaza West-Grandfamily Community Life Program was designed to create a grandfamilies “village,” rich with activities, on-site resources, and connections to services in the nearby community.

The grandfamily units will be made available to those making 30 to 40 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), while 173 units will serve individuals and families making 50 to 60 percent AMI. Eleven units will be set aside for Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) clients, with the subsidy being distributed by the District of Columbia Housing Authority.

“One thing we have always understood was mission…It has always been about the people and serving them in the best way that we can,” said DCHA Executive Director Tyrone Garrett. “We will continue to do this and want to be a part of more opportunities like this.”

The building was one piece of the vision of Bible Way Church Founder Bishop Smallwood E. Williams, said Bible Way Church Board of Trustees Chair Yvonne L. Williams. Under the bishop’s guidance, the church began buying properties at what is now the intersection of New York and New Jersey Avenues and creating affordable housing for D.C. residents. Those buildings include Golden Rule Apartments, Golden Rule Plaza, the SeVerna, and the SeVerna on K.

“Today the vision is made fresh,” said Yvonne L. Williams. “We are here.”

The Plaza West affordable housing development was made possible through a collaboration of D.C. government agencies, including the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development, the D.C. Housing Finance Agency, D.C. Housing Authority, and DBH. Bible Way Church is the sponsor of this project through its affiliate, Golden Rule Plaza, Inc. (GRP), a DC-based nonprofit whose mission is to provide more affordable housing and other community-oriented assets in Mount Vernon Triangle. GRP partnered with Mission First and the Henson Development Company to develop Plaza West.

In addition, the development has over 9,500 square feet of outdoor recreational space and a range of amenities, including a library, a kids activity space, a fitness room, and a community room. Plaza West is within walking distance of four Metro stations and bus routes, and close to a grocery store, multiple churches, recreation and restaurants, and a library. The District is the ninth city nationwide to have a residential grandfamilies program.

DCHA Executive Director Tyrone GarrettCity and community officials cut the ribbon on Plaza West